The Act of 19 November 2009 on gambling games is the basic statute governing gambling in Poland — from land-based casinos through betting to games run over the internet. For online players, though, the decisive text is not the 2009 Act itself but its amendment in force since 1 April 2017, which created the state monopoly on internet casino games and the domain-blocking mechanism.
Below we go through the provisions that carry real practical weight. This is an editorial summary for information — it is not legal advice. The current consolidated text of the Act is available in the Polish legal database (ISAP), in Polish only.
A map of the key provisions
| Provision | What it covers | What it means for a player |
|---|---|---|
| art. 2 | Definitions of games of chance, slot machine games, betting | Settles what counts as gambling under the Act at all |
| art. 5 | State monopoly, including on internet casino games | Why Total Casino is legal |
| art. 6 onwards | Concessions and permits (land-based casinos, betting) | The route to legality — closed to online casinos |
| art. 15d | Duties of payment service providers | The basis for payment blocking |
| art. 15f | Register of domains used to offer games in breach of the Act | DNS and payment blocks |
| art. 27 | Ban on participation by under-18s | An absolute age limit |
| art. 29 | Ban on advertising and promoting games | Constrains what operators and publishers may say |
| art. 107 FPC | Organising and taking part in games in breach of the rules | Fiscal penal liability |
| art. 110a FPC | Advertising and promotion in breach of the ban | A fine |
The last two come from the Fiscal Penal Code rather than the Gambling Act itself — but they are what give it teeth.
Art. 5 — the state monopoly
The pivotal provision for the whole Polish online market. It reserves to the state, among other things, the running of casino games over the internet. The monopoly is exercised by a single-shareholder State Treasury company, Totalizator Sportowy sp. z o.o. The consequence is simple and cannot be worked around: there is no procedure by which a private online casino could obtain a Polish licence. Betting works differently — there a permit system operates and several private operators are lawfully active.
Art. 15f — the domain register
The 2017 amendment created a register kept by the Minister of Finance and published at hazard.mf.gov.pl. Listing a domain triggers duties for telecoms providers (blocking access, redirecting to a Ministry information page) and for payment service providers (halting transactions). The entity whose domain has been listed may object, in administrative proceedings. We cover this in more depth on the MF domain register page.
Art. 29 — the advertising ban
The ban covers advertising and promoting cylindrical games, card games, dice games and slot machine games, as well as publicising sponsorship by entities running such businesses. The Act defines “advertising” and “promotion” broadly — indirect forms, such as using an operator’s logo, are caught too. The exceptions relate in particular to betting conducted under a permit, within limits set by statute.
The sanction is in art. 110a of the Fiscal Penal Code: a fine whose upper limit runs to hundreds of daily rates. This provision is what genuinely shapes how Polish media and publishers write about gambling — and why you will see far less gambling advertising here than in the UK, Germany or Sweden.
Art. 27 — age and verification
The limit of 18 is absolute. In practice it translates into a duty on the licensed operator to verify the player’s identity — hence the requirement to give a PESEL number and ID document details when registering at Total Casino. A casino that lets you play entirely anonymously does not, by definition, meet Polish requirements. We also write about this on casinos without verification.
What the 2017 amendment changed
- It introduced the state monopoly on online casino games, opening the way for Total Casino to launch in December 2018.
- It created the domain register together with the DNS-block and payment-block mechanism.
- It brought slot machines outside casinos under the state monopoly.
- It tightened fiscal penal liability for organising games in breach of the rules.
The macro effect: the market split into a narrow legal segment and a broad offshore one whose domains steadily accumulate in the register. We describe what that split means in practice on Total Casino vs offshore casinos.
How to read the Act as a player
- Ask whether the operator could be legal at all. An online casino on a foreign licence cannot be. A betting operator can, if it holds an MF permit.
- Check the domain in the register. It is the only public, conclusive source; the walkthrough is in how to check if a casino is legal.
- Remember the tax. With a foreign casino you settle it yourself — see tax on winnings, and consult a tax adviser on your own position.
- Do not treat a foreign licence as a Polish one. What the individual jurisdictions mean is explained on casino licences.
Gambling is 18+ and can be addictive. The free helpline in Poland is 801 889 880; see responsible gambling.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Gambling Act come into force?
The Act dates from 19 November 2009. For the online market the decisive change is its amendment in force since 1 April 2017, which introduced the state monopoly on internet casino games and the domain register.
Which article sets out the state monopoly?
Art. 5 of the Gambling Act. It reserves to the state, among other things, running casino games over the internet; the monopoly is exercised by Totalizator Sportowy.
Does the Act ban casino advertising?
Yes, art. 29 prohibits advertising and promoting casino games. The sanction is in art. 110a of the Fiscal Penal Code — a fine.
Does the Act treat sports betting the same as casinos?
No. Betting may be organised under a permit from the Minister of Finance, which is why several licensed private operators exist. Online casinos are covered by the state monopoly.
Where can I find the current text of the Act?
In the Polish legal acts system (ISAP) and in the Journal of Laws, in Polish. Our summary is informational and does not replace reading the source or taking legal advice.
Does the Act provide penalties for players?
Liability for taking part in games run in breach of the rules comes from art. 107 of the Fiscal Penal Code. That is a statement of the legal position, not an assessment of any specific case.